V * 




...AM 



Author 



Title 



Imprint 



16—47372-3 GPO 



REPORT 



SUB-COMMITTEE 



OP 



THE SCHOOIi COMMITTEE 

RECOMMENDING VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS • 



SYSTEM OF INSTRUCTION 



GKAMMAR AND WHITING SCHOOLS 



OF THIS CITY. 




BOSTON : 

PRESS or NATHAN HALE. ...CITY PRINTER. 

No. 6, Congress-Street. 



1828. 



^ 




'''v. 



REPORT. 



The Sub-Committee of the School Committee, who were 
dii-ected to consider the subject of the High School for 
Girls, whether it shall be contimied, whether girls can be per- 
mitted to remain through the year at the Grammar schoote, 
or their time of continuance advantageously extended, re- 
spectfully Report : 

That the several subjects, committed to their consideration, 
are highly important and. critical ; requiring, for their sat- 
isfactory illustration, a survey of the entire system of our 
public schools. Such a survey is necessarily a difficult and 
laborious task, yet your Sub-Committee did not perceive how 
they could fulfill their duty to the city and School Committee, 
without undertaking it. 

The High School for girls was of a nature to excite inter- 
est and expectation. The omission to fill the vacancy, occa- 
sioned by the resignation of the former master, at that school, 
unavoidably o(»casioned disam>ointment|; particularly among 
parents, who anticipated bec#ning partakers in its benefits. 
The actual result of that school, considered as an " experi- 
ment," has not been generally understood ; nor the predica- 
ment, in which the School Committee found itself, in relation 
to it, realized. It seems proper therefore that no obscurity 
should be left upon the subject ; for this purpose a thorough 
examination of the records of the School Committee has 
been made. The result of which, your Sub-Committee now 



lay before the School Committee, as the foundation of the 
opinions, they hereafter express. 

In June 1825 a report of a Sub-Committee was unani- 
mously accepted by the School Committee, recommending 
the establishment cf a school for the instruction of females 
in the higher departments of science and literature, and 
that an applieation should be made to the City Council for an 
appropriation for that object. This was done accordingly, 
and, on the 22d. of August ensuing, an appropriation of 
^2000 ,was made, as requested. 

At the time of passing the above appropriation in the City 
Council, as well as of accepting the report by the School 
Committee, although a very unanimous opinion was expressed 
in favour of extending the present advantages, enjoyed by 
females in our public schools, to as many and to as high 
branches as possible, yet serious doubts were entertained, 
whether the mo3e proposed was practicable, to the extent 
and in the form contained, in the plan presented ; and also 
whether the tendency would not be essentially to injure the 
other schools, and deprive them of the means of introducing into 
them the monitorial system, by taking away annually the class 
of females, out of which monitors must be selected. 

As the plan was however very ardently pressed by several 
members of the Committee, and was urged on the ground of 
the success of the High School for boys, it was acceded to 
with great unanimii^^ It being considered on all sides to he 
an experiment, " if favourable, to he continued, if adverse, to 
be droppid of cour^e,^^ and so declared in the original report. 
If it succeeded, an object very generally desired would be 
effected. If it failea, the light and knowledge, resulting from 
" the experiment" would, if wisely used, lead to measures, 
which, though perhaps different in their nature, would effect 
in some other form, the same general end of elevating and 
enlarging the education of fem^es in our public schools. 

It is in this view and with these objects, the present Sub- 
Committee have considered the several^ results of that 
" experiment, ^^ which they are now about to state. 

By referring to the original report, in which the scheme for 
the High School for girls was first presented, and which- con- 
tained a development of the reasons and plan, on which that 



School was founded, your Committee perceive, that, in addi- 
tion 10 those arguments of general expediency in favor of 
female education, which are familiar to all, and find a ready 
admi&'oion to every reaectiog mind, the following particular 
reasons are specially urged. 

1. That "in the girl's department 6f , our schools, children 
of eleven and twelve years of age, are seen by the side of 
girls of fourteen or fifteen years old, who have been rather 
Tolerated in the first class from courtesy to their ago, or from 
pity to their unsuccessful efforts, than entitled to a place in it 
on the score of good scholarship." The manner in which 
these " sprightly girls" are " held in check" by the more dull 
and heavy, the report represents as " a serious evil," which 
the proposed school would obviate, by presenting to girls of 
theif class, a school for them, similar to the High School for 
boys, as an object of amhition, and profitable employment of 
three years of Hfe, now inadequately occupied. 

2d. That k would have a happy etFect in qualifying fe- 
males, tp become instructors in our public schools ; which 
the report states are " not always to be found." 

3d. That it would put to test the u3efulness,of monitorial or 
mvtual instruction, nud the practicability of introducing it into 
our public schools. 

Upon the article of expense, and by way of obviating ob- 
iections on that score, the report supposes that one large 
room would be sufficient, and that, at least for the first year, no 
new one would be required. 

With these general views, the first report was adopted by 
the School Committee, and when it had received the sanction 
of the City Council, a plan was also adopted by the School 
Committee on the 26th October, 1825, of which the follow- 
ing are the chief features. 

1. That children should be admitted to it who are eleven 
and not more than Jif teen. 

2. That the course of studies should occupy three years. 

3. That the studies required should embrace Reading — 
Spelling,— writing words or sentences from dictation — 
English Grammar — ^Composition — Ancient and Moder*n Ge- 
ography — Intellectual and written Arithmetic: — Rhetoric — 
History of the United States — Book-Keeping— Elements of 
Geometry — Natural Philoeophy — General History — History 



6 

of England' — Natural Theology — Astronomy — Tre«tise on 
Globes-^Chemistry — History of Greece — History of Roaie 
— Moral Philosophy — Evidences of Christianity. The studies 
permitted should be, — Logic — Demonstrative Geometry- 
Algebra — Laiin — French — Botany — Principles of perspcc- 
tion — Projection of Maps. 

The examination for admission into the High School for 
girls, instituted on these views, and embracing the above gene- 
ral plan, was appointed to be made on the 22d. of February, 
1826. The largest and most conamodious room, owned by 
the city having been assigned for the school, and fitted, at a 
very considerable expense, to the satisfaction of the School 
Committee, under the general direction of the master. 

Previous to the time appointed for the first examination, 
as above stated, it began to be apparent, that the effect- and 
consequences of establishing a School of such extent and 
splendid promise for the education of females, to be paid for 
from the general funds of the city, had not been exactly esti- 
mated. A special meeting of the School Committee was 
therefore called on the 21st. of February, at which the 
School Committee were informed that from the number of 
candidates, which would probably offer, the anticipation that 
one room would be sufficient to accommodate all, who might 
be entitled to enter it, could not he realized ; it having been 
ascertained that nearly three hundred candidates would offer, 
whHe the room would not accommodate well more than one 
hundred and twenty. 

In this dilemma, the School Committee adopted the only 
course, which the circumstances, in which they were placed 
admitted. They determined to keep the number to be ad- 
mitted, under their own control and passed a vote, That the 
Sub-Committee of the High School for girls should be in- 
structed to examine all the candidates, and to report to the 
School Commhtee, " the names, cfges, and standing of all 
whom they shall Jind duly qualified for admission, agreeably 
to ih". regulations heretofore adopted, that this Committee 

MAY DETERMINE WHAT CLASSES OF THEM SHALL BE ADMIT- 
TED." 

The examination was ' accordingly conducted under the 
influence of that vote. Two hundred and eighty-six candi- 



dates presented themselves for examination. The Sub-Com- 
mittee, from motives of grdat prudence and propriety, in 
making their report as directed , to the School Committee, on 
the 28lh of February, did not report the names of the can- 
didates, nor yet any specification of " those they found duly 
qualified" but only their ages and a table of the marks from 
1 to 20, put opposite each candidate, under each head of ex- 
amination, with tjie general result.. The Sub-Committee con- 
clude, " In view of the whole case, after a careful considera- 
tion, they beg leave to recommend the adoption of the 
following, as the principles which shall determine the admis- 
sion from the applicants, of the scholars for whom accommo- 
dations have been provided, viz. That all between eleven 
and twelve years of age be stricken from the list of applicants, 
and that of the remainder, all who have received the numbers 
of IS 1-2 and upwards fhall be admitted as members of the 
school for the present 'gear." ' 

This report of the Sub-Committee was accordingly adopted 
by the School Committee, and the admission of candidates, 
for that year^ regulated by the principle recommended in it, 
and in consequence, of the 286 candidates, about 130 were 
admitted, and 150 rejected. * 

On this state of facts your Committee observe, that the re- 
sult proved that the anticipations of the School Comaiittee 
in the Report, on which the City Council had authorised the 
establishing this school, had completely failed, in this respect, 
that so far from one school-room being sufficient for those en- 
titled to admission the first year, probably two rooms of 
the same size with that prepared, would have been insufB- 
ci"!nt for that purpose, had the principles of admission been 
regula'ied by other considerations than those of " the accom- 
modations provided." The project of the School Committee 
had also failed in another respect, all who were above eleven 
and not more than fifteen, who were candidates and qualified, 
were not admitted. An arbitrary principle, unavoidable in 
the case, was adopted, whereby many were excluded, who 
were entitled to admission. . This fact occasioned greit and 
just discontent among the parents, whose children were ex- 
cluded, and was a source of bitter complaint to members of 
the School Committee. 

On the same day, the 28th of Februar>fr, under the impres- 



sion, resulting from the facts, this first stage of the "experiment" 
exhibiied, the School Committee voted, " That no scholar 
shall be admitted into the High School for Girls, who is not 
^twelve years of age." 

This vote presents a third case of disappointment in the 
anticipations of the School Committee, on which this sjhool 
was founded. The girls of eleven years of age, which were 
one of the promine,nt objects of its institution were excluded, 
and the time and opportunity for admission, of course propor- 
tionally limited. 

The circumstances, above detailed, and others of similar 
ckaracter, your Committee are informed, occasioned an in- 
creased doubt and anxiety in the minds of many members of 
the City Government, as well as of the School Committee, 
in respect of the practicability of this School, to the extent 
proposed, being adopted as a component part of our School 
System. It was obvious thtit li had been predicated upon an 
extent of years and of instruction, which it was not practica- 
ble to maintain, without an expenditure, much beyond any 
anticipated amount. A very general opinion, therefore, was 
expressed, both in^ the School Committee and by mem- 
bers of the City Council, that it should be considered, as the 
original Report purported, in the light of an " experiment," 
and to take such measivres, after the first year, as circum- 
stances should indicat.e the interests of the city, and the duty 
of those charged with supGrintending them, required. 

In the course of the first year, while the conduct of the 
School was very satisfactory both to the parents of the chil- 
dren and to the School Committee, and while it effecfually 
proved the advan-tage of the system of monitorial and mutual 
instruction, yet the facts, which occurred tended stiir farther 
to increase doubt on the practicability of making a school of 
this nature and character a component part of our general 
School System. 

In the beginning of August, 1826, the Sub-Committee of 
the High School for girls, raade a communication to the 
School Committee, setting forth their tiews of the necessity 
of further provision for the support, enlargement, and of fur- 
ther accommodation of that school, and aftev stating the 
success of that school, they submitted by way of information 
the following facts, '^ that the present number of the school 



iffas one hundred and thirty,— that very few if any would be 
excluded the ensuing year.—'that according to «Ae 6^^ calcu- 
iations that could he madi, the candidates for admission, at 
the, then mxt ensuing examination would he to the number of 
four hundred and ttventy-seven, making a gross amount to be 
provided for, in case all the candidates applying should he 
admitted, end all the then members (f the school retained, of 
five hundred and fifty-seven. Of this number, however, ih» 
communication of the Sub-Committee supposed iJial only 
two hundred would be qualified for admission. 

On the 1 5th of August, this communication was eommitted 
to a Sub-Committee of the School Committee, who on the 
3d of October ensuing, after re-stating the preceding facts, 
reported that in their opinioii, " the supposition thai only two 
hundred would be qualified out of the more than four hun- 
dred which was expected to oiFer, was not to be anticipated ; 
that if it was the intention to carry the High Scliool for girls 
into full operat-.on, according t« its original scheme, it was the 
duty of the School Committee to adopt such measures, as 
should preclude the examining officers frorn all temptation to 
regulate their admissions, by considerations relative to the 
capacity of tht school-room, rather than by the real qualifica- 
tions of the candidates; :hatitwas not to be concealed, such sug- 
gestions had been made concerning the last examination, in re- 
lation to the rejected candidates, ihul should iivo hundred can- 
didatesout of/our hundred be in fact rejected, great and general 
discontent would be the consequence, among parents, chil- 
dren,the masters who offered them, and the public ; the result 
therefore of the opinion of that Sub-Committee, was, that if 
the school was to be continued upon the basis of the original 
scheme, measures ought to be taken commensurate to the 
anticipated necessity. 

As, however, the school was always considered but as an 
" experiment,'' the result of which depended not only upon its 
particular success in educating the pupils admitted to Jt, but 
also upon its relative effects upon the other schools, as well 
as upon the system of public school education in general, they 
therefore recommended that measures shotdd be taken to as- 
certain how the establishment of this school affected the fe- 
males in the other schools — whether it stimulated or diminish- 
ed their aeal— whether it reduced the power of the masters 



* ' 10 

to introduce t^e monitorial system, by depriving them of therr 
best scholars-^whether it impoverished them by taking avpay 
the scholars who were their greaffest pride and honor ; as 
such suggestions had been mj^,de, they recon^mended a post- 
ponement of any decision until inquiries were instituted ; this 
Report was accepted and recommitted to the same Sub- 
Committee, with instructions to make those inquiries. 

Under this authority, a letter was addressed to the several 
MastertMof the several grammar schools, making the inquiries 
directed — the result of which was, that of the fourteen gram- 
mar and writing Masters, — 

On the question whether the High School increased or di- 
minished, the zeal of the scholars, — eight thought it increased 
their zeal, — -four that it had no epect whatever, — two that it 
was positively injurious. ,, 

On the questions whether the common schools were not 
impoverished, and the ability of the Masters to introduce 
monitorial instruction by it diminished, — eleven were decidedly 
of opinion that it had those efFects, — two admitted them, but 
thought they*were balanced by the increased zeal, — one per- 
ceived and apprehended no injury from this source. 

On the question whether the character and prospects of the 
common schools vyere not injuriously affected by being re- 
duced to a secondary rank — ^seven Masters deem it had been 
beneficial, by raising the standp.rd of education, notwithstand 
ing it had sunk the grade of the common schools, — seven 
deemed that, on this account, it had been injurious. It may 
be observed that it appears by the answers to these inquiries 
that those Masters who were most favorable to the High 
School, declared it as their opinion that the qualifications for 
admission should be rawed, in order to diminish the school. 

On the 17th Nov. 1826, the above Sub-Committee report- 
ed the above result to the School Committee, and further, 
that the number in the different public schools, who intended 
to offer^ was ninety ; that upon the supposition that only the 
same proportion offered from the private schools, as did the 
last year, viz. an equal number,, then the new candidate? 
would be one hundred and eighty, which with one hundred 
and thirty, now in the school, all of whom were expected to 
continue, would leave the number to be provided for the next 
year^ upwards of three hundred, that this was the least possi- 



11 

V 

I 

ble number, for which the city must provide, if the school 
was to be continued on its first principles, since there were 
data which gave reasonable gyound to expect a still greater 
number. From the preceding facts the Sub-Committee con- 
cluded that one or other of the following courses must be 
adopted, either the High School for girls must be wholly 
abandoned, or two High Schools be provided for the present 
year, with the prospective certainty of increasing the number 
of this species of school each succeeding one or two years, 
as the city jncreases; or new principles myst be adopted, in 
relation to admission ; so as to diminish the number of candi- 
dates and to retain the females longer in the grammar and 
writing schools. The last course the Sub-Committee recom- 
mended, and resolutions were accordingly adopted, provid- 
ing,— 

'1. That no scholar be admitted into tlve female High 
School, until she shall have attained the age of fourteen, nor 
after she shall have attained the age of sixteen, nor shall re- 
main longer than one year. 

2d. That requisitions for the Female High School shall be, 
every thing taught in the public grammar and writing schools. 

The effect of this change in the principles of admission 
was such as was intended, instead of three or four hundred 
candidates as was anticipated, only twenty offered them- 
selves, and of these only three were admitted. 

The result of this " experiment" then, so far as it respects 
instruction actually applied, within the school, is that one 
hundred and thirty girls have been well taught in many of the 
branches proposed for eighteen months, and three for one 
year, at an expense (preparing of the school-room included) 
of about four thousand five hundred dollars. 

So far as it respects all the great features, which constitut- 
ed the character of the original plan, the result of the experi- 
ment has been an entire failure. The operation of the last 
vote of the School Committee was to change every one of 
those features. Instead of a High School, as originally pro- 
jected, for the admission of girls between eleven and fifteen 
years of age, who were to continue three years, it was 
changed into a school, into which none should be admitteti 
until they were fourteen, and in which none were to continue 
for more ihati one year- Instead of a school embracing tli© 



12 . 

whole possible crrcie of female insU uction, open to all, and 
giving ali time to take advantage of it, it is reduced lo a mere 
one year's instruction, dependeat for its aitainraenr on being 
Jhoroiighly versed in all ibe brandies now taught in ilie 
schools. 

As this experiment was conducted for the most part un- 
der the same auspices, which first adopted it, and as when 
adopted, it was with eolire unanimity, and with a general wish 
to enlarge to any practicable extent the sphere of useful fe- 
riiale education, it cannot be qusstioned liiat the experiment 
was conducted with perfect fairness of disposition for its suc- 
cess, and that the changes which took place, in every step of 
its progress, and which eventuated in the entire change of its 
characteristic features, were the result of a conviclionf forced 
upon the minds of faithful and intelligent public agents, that 
a school embracing that extent of time and those multiplied 
objects of education, could not be introduced, and if intro- 
duced, would not be long maintained, as a part of the systenre 
of pubhc education, to be defrayed out of the general funds 
of the city. 

Notwithstanding the last vote of the School Committee^ 
thus fundamentally affecting the original plan of the High 
School for girls, your Sub-Commiltee have deemed it proper 
to consider the subject in both forms, in which it presents^ 
itself; to the end, that there may be no obscurity or mistake 
relative to their views of the public interest on this ques- 
tion. 

1. SliaU the High School for girls he reestablished upors 
the basis of embracing the extent of time and multiplied ob- 
jects of education, which the original plan of that school 
contemplated f 

2. Shall it be continued on the restricted basis, as it re- 
spects time and objects, to which it was reduced by the vote 
of the School Committeo of the 17ih of Nov. 1826, 

In relation to the first question, your Sub-Comrftittee, m 
addition lo the very decisive facts, and opinions of former 
School Coniiiaittees as above stated, observe that there are 
considerations of a general nature very obvions^and to which, 
on this occasion, it is pro[)er to recur, in order that, on a sub- 
j«ct of so juuch interest; no view should be omiltedj whicb 
i»a9 a tendency to create uiiion of senlimenl. 



IS 

The great argument for a High School for girls, bf the 
extent of time and objects of education as first proposed, was^ 
that the same had been dcrne for the boys, and thai it was 
reasonable that one sex should have the same advantages as 
the other. 

It was not, however, sufficiently considered, if it was at all 
foreseen, that the difference of the circumstances of girls and 
boys, at the*|)eriod of life between eleven and sixteen would 
make a material difference, in respect to the practicability of 
a school on such a basis, considered as a part of a public 
system of education to be provided for out of the general 
funds of the city. 

Between the ages of eleven and sixteen, girls are not, hke 
boys, for the most part abstracted from general objects, by 
the necessity of attending to objects having reference to some 
fnn'ticular trade or profession. A school, therefore, requiring 
for admission, qualifications, of no very high character, and 
such as parents by a little forcing of the education of their 
daughters, in private schools, or by domestic instruction, 
might generally command, and which was in fact of the na- 
ture of a college for all girls between eleven and sixteen, was 
of a nature very attractive, and as it was to be confined of 
course to the best scholars from our public schools, it partook 
of the character of selection and exclusion^ thereby obviating 
the objection which prevents some parents from availing 
themselves of our common schools. 

The effect of this state of things was evident in the number 
of the candidlites, at the first examination; being as above 
stated two hundred and eighty-six ; and also in the reasona- 
abie anticipation made of the number of candidates, which 
were prepared to offer had the same state of qualification con- 
tinued, in the second examination, — from three to four hun- 
dred, — and in the fact that of all the scholars, who entered 
the High School, it is understood that not one, during the 
eighteen months of its operation voluntarily quitted it j that 
is, who from circumstances could have enjoyed its advan- 
tages. ^ 

The difference between ti)e praclicabiliiy of i^uch a school 
as applied to females, and considered as part of a system of 
public education to be paid for out of the general funds of 
the city, and as applied to boys, cannot be nwre striking!}' 



14 

illustrated thaa by a comparison of that result, with the 
following facts. 

The High School for boys has been in operation ever since 
1821, and in every respect has been successful and popular, 
yet the greatest number of applicants for admission, which 
ever offered w^s ninety. The greatest number ever admit- 
ted was eighty-four. And although it has been so many 
years in successful operation, its present numbel^is only one 
hundred and forty-six. 

In relation to the continuance of those admitted into the 
High School for boys the contrast is s?till more striking. The 
number of those annually admitted into it is constantly and 
rapidly diminishing, every successive year, as the parents of 
scholars are able to find places to put them out as appren- 
tices, or in counting houses. So that the fact is that " the 
greatest number of these who have continued through iheiif 
whole course is seventeen ; — and they belonged to a class, 
consisting originally of &bout seventy members." 

Now from the facts wliich hj\ve occurred and from the 
known circumstances of females, between the ages of eleven 
and sixteen, there is no reason for believing that any one, 
once admitted to the school, would voluntarily quit it for the 
whole three years ; unless, indeed in case of marriage. 

Another fact, not to be omitted in the estimate of the 
effect of this High School for girls, considered as a practi- 
cable public system is, that the greater number of those ad- 
mitted to that school was from private schools ; that is out 
of one hundred and twenty-one, sixty-two were*from private, 
and fifty-nine from the public schools. It was understood 
that the proportion of the number about to offer for the sec- 
ond examination, had the original principles of admission con- 
tinued, would have been far greater from the private 
schools. 

In this connexion it niay be proper to state, in ordei* to 
indicate the degree of preparation and expense to which the 
osiablishment of such a collegiate course of studies, under 
the name of a High School, would necessarily lead, that the 
whole number of girls, in our present Grammar and High 
Schools between eleven and fifteen years of age, is about 
seven hundred, that the numberof girls, between the same ages, 
receiving their educaiion within the city, in private schools and 



15 

families^, must be unquestionably far greater. Supposing only 
that the number of this class be^equal, then it is apparent that 
there will be a great total of nearly fourteen hundred girls in 
every year to whom the benefits of this collegiate course, at 
the expense of the city, would be proffered, upon the single 
condition of becoming fit to enter this school within that period 
of age. It cannot be questioned that the profXir of so unexam- 
pled a privilege would awaken the strong desire of every pa- 
rent, and female of the admitted age, in the city, to become 
partakers of it. And this desire would be proportionably 
strong and active in parents, who had been in the previous 
habit of educating their children in private schools, because 
they would feel most strongly relief from the expense to 
which they had hitherto subjected themselves ; and would 
perceive that having the pecuniary ability to force the educa- 
tion of their children in private schools, or by domestic tui- 
tion, they would most certainly be able to avail themselves of 
this advantage. Accordingly it was found that the excitement 
and stimulus were much greater among children of this class 
than among any other. There was reason to expect far 
greater numbers from private schools than from the public. 
The estimate above stated made by the Sub-Committee for the 
High School^ for girls of four hundred was probably not extrav- 
agant, and if it had fallen short the then currentyear, it would 
without question have been equalled the next. It being next 
to a certainty that when so desirable and uncommon a privi- 
lege was proffered, at least one third of all within the admit- 
ted age would qualify themselves to take- advantage of it. 
As for the reasons before stated, it is believed that not one girl 
once admitted would voluntarily quit the school, during the 
whole three years, — except in case of marriage, — it followed 
that provision must be made for, from eight to twelve hundred 
scholars, in the first three years ; at an expense of two High 
School-houses with suitable preparations, which would cost not 
less than fifty thousand dollars ; and upon the supposition of the 
same ratio of m{\sters and ushers to scholars (one to one hun- 
dred) and only the same rate of salaries as in our present Gram- 
mar scifAols, causing an additional expense of ten thousand 
eight hundred doUarr. annually ; with a certainty that the num- 
bers and expense must annually increase. These facts and 
considerations were irresistible and conclusive to show tliat 



16 . 

V 

a Righ School education was a very diSerent thing in its re- 
sults, as it respects our general school system, when applied 
to girls, than when applied to boys; and, that, aside from all 
considerations of its particular effects upon our Gran^mar and 
Writing schools, some of wUich were unquestionably injurious, 
and without taking notice of the objection that it might not 
be within tke general policy of the laws of the Common- 
weahh relative to public education, it could not be maintained 
and ought not to be continued as a part of our public system, 
on the basis of time and qualification, on which it was first 
projected. The opinion became general, if not universal, 
that some change in its principles must be adopted, if it were 
continued. Two schenros only were suggested by those, who 
would continue the course ^ree years. 1. That the High 
School should be confined to those educated in the cofnmon 
schools. This of course would not be sustained for one mo- 
ment. For in addition to the common right, which would 
be inherent in all parents, the tendency would be to bring 
back to our common schools a class of children, fravi the 
education of whom they were now relieved by the predilec- 
tions, or pecuniary ability, of parents. 

2. That the qualification should be raised while the course 
of three years should be continued. This last was the favor- 
ite remedy with those most desirous for the continuance of 
the institution on this principle of time. 

A single objection seems, however, conclusive on this point. 
In proportion as the qualifications for admission are raised, 
the school becomes exclusive. Though nominally open to 
all, it will be in fact open only to the few, and shut to the 
many. Now if the objects to be acquired in a schoolof this 
kind are important to the whole community, nothing can be 
more obvious than that the advantages of a school, provided 
for out of the funds of the whole community, should be re- 
ceived by the whole community. 

If it be asked does not the same objection apply to the 
Latin School and the High School for boys, the answer is 
obvious. The destination of boys, in future Kfe, has neference 
to professions and pursuits, (including services to the*Bommu- 
nity in public stations,) infinitely various compared with the des- 
tination of girls. The essential reason for supporting, at 
the public expense, these last mentioned Schools, is that they 



17 

enable every individual in the community, however poor, to 
have his son educated for the particular profession, or pursuit 
in life, for which his talent destines him. 
^ If, however, these schools, instead of educating each about 
one hundred and fifty boys annually, should show themselves 
to be of a nature to attract within their sphere all those, at, 
present educated at private schools,— r-if it should appear 
that the number must rise, in the course of three or four 
years, to at least eight or twelve hundred annually, — or 
if, of all that entered, none during the whole course would 
be likely to quit, — and the effect upon the common schools was 
positively injurious, — it would become a serious question, 
whether schools of that character could be supported out of 
the general funds of the city ; and would lead either to their 
modification or abandonment. 

Under these general views, your Sub-Committee cannot 
hesitate to come to the same conclusion, which the School 
Committee, by adopting the vote of the 17th November, 
1826, effectually did, and declare it as their opinion, that the 
High School for girls ought not to be reestablished upon the 
basis of en[ibracing the extent of time and the multiplied ob- 
jects of education, which the original plan of that School con- 
templated. #*•' 

With respect to the second question, shall the High School 
for girls be continued on the restricted basis, as to time and 
objects, to which it was reduced by the vote of the lITth No- 
vember, 1826, your Sub-Committee apprehend that it will 
receive a decision equally easy and satisfactory. A basis, 
adopted for the purpose of escaping from an unanticipated ex- 
igency, containing no prop(Jrtion between time allotted, and 
objects of education proposed, can be justified by no sound 
principle ofwiidora. The effect of such a system, would be 
to make a new High School every year to be organized, dis- 
ciplined and instructed, so far as respects the children, by a 
new master. It is scarcely possible that such a school would 
produce any important effects, or would justify the expendi- 
ture it would require. To say nothing of its being necessari- 
ly of an exclusive character, and its benefits confined, in ef- 
fect, to a very few. 

It is obviously far preferable to arrange all our Grammar and 
Writing Schools so as that the standard of education in them 



18 

may be elevated and enlarged ; thereby making them all, as 
it respects females, in fact High Schools, in which each child 
may advance according to its attainments to the same branches 
recently taught in that school. 

Your Sub-Committee have therefore come to the conclu- 
sion, that the circumstances, in which the city is placed, by 
the result of " the experiment" of the High School for girls, 
render it their duty to enter upon the consideration of ex- 
tending the advantages, now enjoyed in our public schools, 
upon a general and systematic plan, having reference to the 
exigencies of the whole community, predicated upon no 
principles of favoritism or exclusion, but adapted to elevate 
the condition, both moral and intellectual of the children of 
the whole community; particularly of those classes who,|from 
their pecuniary condition are least able to provide for the ed- 
ucation of their own children. 

In connection with this subject and as indispensable to it, 
your Sub-Committee have deemed it their duty to take a sur- 
vey of the whole school system of our city, to consider the 
respective schools in their relations to one another — the 
system of instruction adopted in them — the means of im- 
proving that system, and, as a consequence of such improve- 
ment, the practicability of increasing the power of the masters 
to educate greater numbers, and at the same time, diminish- 
ing the expenses of pubHc education. 

Your Sub-Committee have been led to engage in this wide 
survey, from a deep conviction, that the present amount of 
pecuiliary expenditure might be made to produce a greater 
effect upon the intellectual and moral advancement of chil- 
dren than at present. The fa«ts, also, that new schools are 
now petitioned for, by different sections of our city, that the 
increase of our population must necessarily lead to greater 
expenditures and that even now the expenditures out of the 
public fund for this object, are great beyond all example in 
any other city, forcibly impress the necessity and duty of an 
enlarged and systematic arrangement of our schools, to be 
met with firmness and decision, with an understanding and 
due regard to all the circumstances and interests, which they 
involve, and which alterations must at all times affect. 

In this survey your Committee have not deemed it at pres- 
ent expedient or necessary to take into view, t^e La^in or\ 



19 

ifee High School for boys. They being both sbhools of an 
independent nature, and the principles to be applied to thein 
having reference to that nature, whatever modification, if any, 
it may be thought wise to introduce, maybe mad« at any time 
■a subject of di^inct consideration, and may be effected with- 
out any other modification of the grammar schools thaft 
that hereafter proposed in this Report. The Primary, 
Crramraar and Writing schools have, on the contrary, a di- 
rect connection with each other. They are also of the great- 
est general importance. It is to these, therefore, your Sub- 
Committee have directed their sole atteiation. 

Nor have your Sab-Committee deemed it necessary to 
bring the school at South Boston into this investigation. 
That school being at present conducted by a single tpaster, 
vvho will be alone adequate, probably for some years, to all the 
exigencies of the vicinity in which that school is located. 

With these explanations, your Sub-Committee state, that 
it appears by the returns of the several school masters, that 
the scholars of the several schools of the city, may be stated 
with sufficient accuracy as follows. 

Boys, Girls. Total. 

In the primary schools, 1552 1592 3144 

And in the seven Gram- ^ 

mar schools above > 1610 1377 2987 

mentioned, } 



•Making the whble number of children educated > 
at the above schools by the city, ) 

The annual expenses of these schools, exclusive of occa- 
sional expenses of erecting buildings, rent of school-houses, 
and extraordinary repairs, are stated by the Auditor to be as 
follows I 

Two Masters at 1200, |2400 

Two Ushers at 600, 1200 $3600. 

Seven schools, 7 



;§^25,200 

Primary Schools, 13,500 

Contingent expenses, 3,000 



$41,700 



In the primary schools are fifty-six teachers, averaging 
something less thjin fifty-seven citildren to each. 



20 

In the grainmar and writing schools are twenty-eight teach- 
ers, averaging about one hundred and six scholars to each. 

In addition to the above statement it may be proper here to 
notice, that the Directors of the primary schools are so satis" 
fied of the necessity of the city's providing school-rooms fof 
yhe children in jhose schools, that your Sub-Committee ar? 
informed that a petition, to that effect is preparing for the City 
Council. Should this principle be adopted, and the present 
number of schools increased by the addition of another gram- 
mar and vv'riting school, as petitioned for, at West Boston, the 
whole probable- expense of these schools cannot be estimated 
flt less than $50,000, besides the cost of another school- 
nouse at $20,000. If to which be added, the other ex- 
penses of the schools, this head will require an appropriation 
the present year of $70,000. 

With these facts before ihem, relative to the numbers, ex-; 
penses, and proportion of teachers to scholars in our schools, 
your Sub-Committee have turned their attention to that an- 
cient system, on which these schools are now for the most part^ 
taught, and also to that other system^ called the " monitorial,'^ 
adopted elsewhere, in Europe and America, and with unex- 
ampled success, in connection with the experience, and the- 
opinions entertained concerning it in this city, and the practi- 
cability and the means of introducing it into our schools. 

That a wish has long been entertained by many of our in- 
telligent citizens, to have it thus introduced, and that its in- 
troduction has met with obstacles, hitherto insurmountable is* 
well known. . It is praper therefore, that the advantages to be 
expected from the monitorial system should be distinctly 
stated, and the practical difficulties, in the way of its intro- 
duction examined, and if possible, obviated. 

The advantages of the monitorial system in comparison with 
the old system, may briefly be thus stated. To the stu- 
dent it makes learning less irksome, by simplifying and fa- 
cilitating his progress, it gives to instruction more interest, by 
alternation and variety of exercise, in which physical and in- 
tellectual action are combined ; it keeps attention awake and 
interested, by permitting no moment of idlenea^s or listless- 
ness ; its effects on the habits, character and intelligence of 
youth is highly beneficial ; disposing their minds to industry, 
to readiness of attention, and to subordination, thereby creat- 



21 

jog in early life a love of order, preparation for business and 
acquaintance with the relative obligations and duties, both of 
pupil and instructer. 

To the Master also, it renders teaching less irksome and 
more interesting, giving an air of sprightliness and vivacity to 
his duties, exciting the principles of emulation among his 
scholars, aiding him by the number of assistants he can thus 
employ, and, by relieving him from the constant necessity 
of direct supervision of every individual, capacitates him to 
concentrate his mind and efforts on points and objects .of 
the most importance, difficulty and responsibility. To all 
which it may be added, though a consideration less important, 
yet not to be overlooked, that it is an immense saving both of 
time and money, in consequence of the far greater numbers 
which can be taught, as well by this mode, as a smaller num- 
ber can be by the former. 

It will be sufficient under this head, to state, that in New 
York three Masters, in three distinct schools, teach fifteen 
hundred and forty-seven boys, being an average of upwards 
of five hundred each. In our schools, the same number of 
boys would require seven schools and fifteen instructers. In 
New York a single female teaches a school on this principle, 
of four hundred. In oii* schools the average number to an 
instructress is fifty-six. The success and progressive ad- 
vancement in. those schools, is asserted by men deemed 
competent judges, to be not less than ours. Without predicat- 
ing any proposition , on this statement, it is referred to as a 
fact, asserted by an authority deemed competent. - 

The general advantage of the monitorial or mutual instruc- 
tion system, your Sub-Gommittee deem to be no longer hy- 
pothetical. They consider it settled to be a great improve- 
ment, by abundant experience, both in Europe and America, 
and so justified by the known constitution of the human mind 
and principles of human action as to be absolutely unques- 
tionable. Indeed, many of its peculiar principles and modes 
have been adopted, and are now acted upon more, or less, in 
all our public schools. The only subjects therefore, it is ap- 
prehended, necessary now to be discussed, are 'the obstacles 
which prevent its complete introduction immediately, into 
them, and in what manner and to what degree they are best 



Ojy 



to be surmounted. The obstacles, which have prevented 
and which, it is believed, still continue to prevent its complete 
introduction into the schools in Boston, are the following. 

1. The favor naturally entertained for old systems, and the 
reluctance with which the mind receives a new system, par- 
ticularly when it affects habits in which we have been edu- 
cated, and requires modes of thinking and acting different 
from those to which we have long been accustomed. 

This obstacle is inseparable from human nature, and was 
very powerful against the monitorial system, at its com- 
mencement. It existed in our community at large, and has 
been gradually diminishing j and, though not yet wholly ex- 
tinct, yet it is believed, it maybe now completely surmounted, 
so far as it respects this city by an expression of the decided 
opinion of the School Committee, in favor of its introduction 
and the cooperative sanction of the City Council, providing 
the means and authorising the arrangements for carrying it 
into effect. 

2d. A second obstacle is the want of a practical acquain- 
tance with the effects and whole power of this system, among 
the present masters of the grammar and writing schools of 
the metropolis. It is natural for men, especially those who have 
been long in that profession", and wh» have given satisfaction 
to the public in their employment, to look with doubt, not to 
say fear, at the proposed introduction of a system, which 
devolves on them new responsibilities j requires the learning 
in middle, or perhaps advanced life, of new modes of instruc- 
tion, and which, breaking up the routine of old habits, calls 
for exertions different, in kind, and perhaps, greater in de- 
gree, than those to which they have long been accustomed. 
This obstacle is intrinsic from the nature of man, and is particu- 
larly strong from the nature of the subject matter. For to whom 
it is natural to ask, shall we go to learn the practicabilities of 
systems of education, if not to those who are themselves en- 
gaged in instruction ? General reflections of this kind have 
given, and justly, great weight to the opinions of gentlemen 
of this class, which, acting upon the natural prejudices against 
novelties existing in the community, on the one side, and on 
the necessity for new arrangements and modifications, which 
beset School Committees and the City Government, on the 
other, has in this city, for many years, postponed the introduc- 



25 

tionof this system, until its power and practicability has be- 
come so apparent, by its success on all sides, that it seems 
scarcely possible to resist the accumulated evidence, which 
exists in its favor. 

It ought, however, to be stated, to the credit of the gram- 
mar and writing Masters of this metropolis, that they have 
been as little actuated by the doubt and fears, inseparable 
from their situation, as was, perhaps, possible. 

As they have known for a long time, that a strong opinion 
existed in the city among very intelligent citizens, in favor of 
the monitorial system, many, if not all of them have gradually 
introduced some of its principles and modes into the discipline 
of their schools, as far as they have respectively deemed ex- 
pedient, or as far perhaps, as from their particular circum- 
stances was practicable. From the disposition and character 
of this useful and respectable body of men, your Sub-Com- 
mittee have reason to anticipate an entire cooperation with 
the views of the School Committee, should they determine 
to introduce the monitorial system ; particularly if such in- 
troduction should be made in a gradual manner, if local ac- 
commodations should be adapted to that system, as it is in- 
troduced ; if its introduction be predicated on no extravagant 
cal'-ulations at first on its power of educating, equally well as 
the old system, far greater numbers; and if that cooperation 
should not be under circumstances which have the aspect of 
injuring the prospects and interests of men, with whom they 
are associated, for whom they have very generally a respect, 
and for whom also in many instances they have acquired an 
affection. This leads, naturally to a statement of the — third 
obstacle to the introduction of the monitorial system, which 
is, that having been for the most part urged, on the ground of 
economy, as enabling the Masters absolutely to educate the 
same numbers whhout ushers, it has been considered as result- 
ing necessarily, in at once turning out of employ that whole 
body of men, an eftect, which the Masters, naturally, would 
reluct at being concerned in producing, from an honorable 
principle, as well as from sympathetic feeling. A real opinion 
is also entertained by some of those of the present Masters, 
who are in general well disposed towards the monitorial sys- 
tem, that, considering the materials of which our grammar 
and writing schools are necessarily composed, although it is 



24 

true, that under the new system one man can do more than 
he could do under the old, yet that it is not true that one man 
can do as much, and as well under the new system as two 
men, under the old. With such an opinion, it is still more 
natural for them to reluct at showing a readiness to undertake 
a system, which, as they consider, will deprive them of 
aids, they deem essential to the keeping the state of public 
education at its present standard. And if such be their 
opinion, both justice to themselves, and duty to, the public, 
require that they should not conceal it. 

Now, although your Sub-Committee do not concur in 
these opinions, and although they believe that when the moni- 
torial system shall be thoroughly understood and put into 
operation, under all the advantages, in point of space and 
knowledge of which it is susceptible, that one man can 
teach the same number, as well, if not better than two 
men would under the old, yet they deem it to be the part 
of wisdom and prudence, not to commence the introduc- 
tion of the new system, with a modification of our present 
schools, foundedaon the anticipation of so great a difference in 
faiior of its comparative power. First, because the present 
Masters must necessarily be the agents of the city in such 
introduction, and their success in it, will in some degree be 
influenced by the state of their previous opinion. Second, 
it seems also just, in the commencement of an undertaking, 
perhaps, in some respects, practically novel to the Masters, 
that the degree of the first labors required of them, in it, 
should have reference to the state of their previous habits 
and their practical acquaintance with the system. A course 
of proceeding, which, being founded on a deference to the 
opinion of the Masters, and considerations for their conven- 
ience, will have a tendency to remove objections and encour- 
age them, in giving a new direction to their efforts. 

Your Sub-Committee, therefore, are of opinion that while 
on the one hand it is the imperious duty of the School Com- 
mittee to proceed forthwith in the introduction of the monito- 
rial and mutual instruction principle into our Grammar and 
Writing Schools, yet on the other that it should be done gra- 
dually and systematically, in one school after another, as fast 
as, and no faster, than local accommodations for that mode of 
instruction are provided, and that the numbers required of 



25 

each master to teach should, in the first years, be less than the 
whole number uf his present school, in case he so desire; 
or, on his request, that an usher should be allowed him, until 
by familiarity he gain confidence in the system, and in its 
power. 

In the opinion of your Sub-Committee it will be wise, in 
the commencement of the system to look chiefly to facil- 
itating its introduction, and that considerations of its economy 
should be deemed secondary to that object ; — acting, how- 
ever,' upon the conviction that, when once in fuH and fair 
operation the anticipated economical effects will certainly 
result. 

With these general views of expediency and duty, your 
Sub-Committee proceed to state the course they deem most 
advisable to be pursued, in order to carry into effect so desirable 
an improvement in our public schoo! system, with the m«st 
certainty, and with the least counteraction. ^ 

First, that the School-Committee should pass a vote, de- 
claring the expediency, in' their opin^Gn, of introducing ine 
monitorial, or mutual instruction system, into all the public 
Grammar and Writing Schools ; and that it shall be done as 
fully and as speedily as is consistent with the existing relations 
of our public schools, and as the local accommodations of the 
several school-houses will permit. * 

The effect of such a declaration would be, to give notice 
to all the school-masters of the metropolis of the. intention ol" 
the School Committee ; and those, on whom it did not at first 
operate, would use the intervening opportunity to enlarge 
their acquaintance with the system, so that when their turn 
came, their facility of carrying it into effect will be it>creased. 

Second. That in connection with this vote, another 
should be passed, declaring the particular schools into which 
it is for the public interest the system should first be intro- 
duced, accompanied with estimates of the expense of alter- 
ing the respective school-houses, and recommending to the 
City Council an appropriation for that pitrpose. 

Upon this point your Sub-Committee are of opinion that 
the two schools, into which forthwith, and without delay, it 
ought to be introduced, are the Boylslon and the Bowdoin 
Schools ; and for reasons very obvious. 

In the former t)ie system has been already in a great meas- 
4 



^6 

ure introduced. During the past year Mr. Fox the master has 
tau^trt both the n:iale and female part of that school, amounting 
to more than two hundred each, without the aid of an usher, 
and has applied the monitorial principle as fully as the want 
of accommodation in the school-room would permit. His 
success has been complete, satisfactory to the committee of 
that school j to his pupils ; and to himself. In this single in- 
stance he has saved to the city the sakry of an usher, 
amounting to six hundred dollars, and although the children 
in the vicinity of Broad-Street, of which his school is cliiefly 
composed, do not present the best materials for instruction, 
yet it is believed, his scholars will compare in the several 
branches with those of any other school. 

Mr. Emerson the writing master is also one of our most 
efficient and intelligent instructers, and it is understood is not 
unwilling to co-operate ia introducing gradually the' new sys- 
tem, upon the principles above alluded to, of accommodating 
the degree of requisition, in pointcf numbers to be instructed, 
to the respective opinions of the masters, concerning the capa- 
city of the system; and their practical acquaiHtance with it. 

As there is a room now unoccupied in the Boylston school- 
house, each of their present school-rooms may be successively 
prepared for |he introduction of the monitorial system, without 
any derangement of the exercises of either school, and be- 
fore the females return to.it, in Aprils 

Similar reasor.s apply to the selection of the Bowdoin 
for iUj other school, which shall take the lead to be prepared 
for tlie introduction of this system. This has now also an 
unoccupied school-room, which enables an iiumediate altera- 
tion of the respective school-rooms, to take place before 
April, without interfering with the exercises of the schools. 
Besides both the masters of the Bowdoin schools are among 
our most efficient instructers, and not' unwilling toco-operate 
with the city, in this design. 

By the estimate of two master carpenters it is ascer- 
tained that the alterations to fit both rooms of the Bowdoin 
School, for the monitorial system cannot exceed one thou- 
sand dollars ; and to fit the Boylston, cannot exceed twelve 
hundred. Tiie whole of which expense will be saved in one 
year in the salaries of the ushers. Your Sub-Committee do 
not propose, however, for the reasons above stated, to look 



jramediately to this reduction, as one of the motives. It will 
be advisable, for 'the present year at least, to continue some of 
their services, and it i,s apprehended if other suggestions in 
this Report should meet with the approbation of the School 
Committee and City Council, that it will be easy to effect the 
alteratioi/ proposed, without injury to those respectable indi- 
viduals of this class, who may desire to continue longer in 
the service of the city. 

With these eatimates and explanations, your Sub-Commit- 
tee apprehend that it may be recommended to the City 
Council to grant an appropriation for carrying this system 
into effect. 

The result of this application will test the existence, or the 
non-existence of a coincidence of opinion in that body in 
these modification^. If the appropriation be granted, it will 
be equivalent to their sanction of the course proposed, and 
the School Committee may then proceed gradually to intro- 
duce the system into the other schools, as fast as the rooms can 
conveniently be prepared. If, on the contrary, such appro- 
priation be withheld, it will be in vain for the School Com- 
mittee to attempt to introduce the monitorial system, if the 
body, which controk expenditures, refuse to sanction it, and 
to enable them to make the alterations in the school-houses, 
essential to its success, by denying the pecuniary means. 

At tWs stage of proceedings it has been suggested that it 
would be expedient for the School Committee to prepare a 
system of monitorial instruction for the use of all the schools, 
by way of giving a direction to the labors of the masters, and 
an uniformity in the modes adopted in the schools. After 
deliberation, however, your Sub-Committee are of opinion 
that a contrary course would be most advisable, and that, 
after fitting each school in the most approved manner for 
monitorial instruction, it should be left to each master to carry 
into effect the system, under the general supervision of the 
School Committee, according to his notions ol the particular 
state of his school, and his intelligence and skill in applying 
the monitorial modes to the actual relations of it. This, by 
showing a well deserved confidence in the Mastew, will natu- 
rally put all their talents upon the stretch, and as the result 
in each school will be constantly the object of examination by 
the School Committee, the comparative merit of the method 



28 

pursued by each Master will enable the School Committee, 
after the experience of one or two years, to establish rules of 
proceeding adapted more exactly to the wants of the schools 
of the city, than would be possible by any previous theoretic 
deliberatvon. 
'In connexion with this subject, and for the purpose of bring- 
ing the whole existing system of our public schools into a 
distinct survey, your Sub-Committee have deemed it their 
duty to turn their attention also to the primary schools, and 
to the connection at present subsisting between them and the 
grantmar and writing schools. 

At present these primary schools are taught by fifty-six 
females, who teach three thousand one hundred and forty- 
nine children, of both sexes, averaging fifty-six children to 
each school-mistress. These school-mistresses receive each 
two hundred and fifty dollars annual salary, and find their 
own school-rooms. The total of which expense, particularly 
as one or two more schools of this class are now contemplat- 
ing, cannot be estimated at less than fourteen thousand dol- 
lars. 

Children are admitted into the grammar schools, from. the 
primary at seven years of age, and it is required, that they 
should be acquainted with the common stops and abbrevia- 
tions, have been exercised in the spelling book, and able to 
tell chapters and verses, and read fluently in the New Tes- 
tament. 

Now your Sub-Committee are of opinion that it would 
greatly promote the interests of public education, if children 
should be retained longer, and taught more in the primary 
schools, before being admitted to the grammar. In their 
opinion, it is desirable that the standard of our grammar 
schools should be raised, and more opportunity given for ad- 
vancing to higher branches than are at present taught in them, 
whenever the progress of children shall permit. To this end 
the grammar Masters ought, in the opinion of your Sub- 
Committee, to be, as much as possible, liberated from being 
required to teach children their first elements, and that what- 
ever task of this nature is imposed upon them should be of 
a revisory character, and have for its object to fix in the 
memory what had been learned previously to the child's en- 
tering their ,=chool. At present it is found thr/, the circum- 



20 

staoce of the child's being kept, during the first year after 
entrance into the grammar school in the same books, in which 
he was taught in the primary, has a tendency to discourage 
his efforts; much of the stimuhis, to be expected in conse- 
quence of a change from a lower to a higher school is lost ; 
his place only being changed, his studies remaining the same. 
Your Sub-Committee apprehend that it would be for the, 
interest of public education therefore, that no child should be 
admitted into the grammar schools before, at least eight years 
of age ; and that reading fluently some additional book, and 
bemg acquainted with some small elementary treatise on 
Arithmetic, should be required. 

The effect of such an alteration would be to relieve the 
grammar and writing schools of all the children, which 
now constitute the fourth class in those schools, and which 
amount on an average to fifty of each sex j or to one hundred 
in a grammar and writing school. The influence of such 
an alteration would, it i^ thought, be very salutary ; mak- 
ing instruction in them more homogeneous; concentrating the 
attention of the Masters upon more advanced stages and 
higher objects of msiruction ; and by reducing the number of 
children in their early elements, and elevating the standard 
of these schools, give space and opportunity, to introduce a 
higher education for the children of both sexes ; and if to 
these alterations should be added the permission to females to 
attend these schools through the winter season, or to remain 
m additional year, or both, it is apprehended that every advan- 
tage to be e«pected from public education would be proffered 
to the youth of this city, which it is possible, in a large so- 
ciety to provide for, out of the general ftind. 

It remains for your Sub-Committee to consider the effect of 
such an alteration upon the primary schools, and to explain 
their views of the interests of the city in this respect. 

By the modification proposed, about seven hundred chil- 
dred would be returned to the primary schools ; making an 
addition of only thirteen scholars to each primary school. 

It becomes, however, an important consideration, whether 
the efficiency of these primary schools may not be increase^d, > 
and their expenses at the same time reduceti. 

Upon this point your Sub-Committee do not hesitate to 
express a decided opinion, that both may be effected, by the 



< 



50 

simple operation of giving these schools the locni accomnio- 
^ dation, which will allow the introduction, into them also, of 
the monitorial system. 

The .expenses of our primary schools are at present be- 
yond all necessity great, in consequence of the unreasonable 
excess of instructers, compared with the number of pupils. 

Fifty-six instructresses teach fifty -six children each, at an 
annual expense of about $ 14,000. 

Now in New-York, one female, by the monitorial method, 
teaches four hundred children of the same ag« and range o4* 
studies as ours; in other words, eight instructers would do as 
much by the method proposed, as fifty-six instructers do by 
our present method. Upon the supposition each instructress 
received three hundred dollars annually, being the sum under- 
stood to be given in New-York, the same number of children 
might be educated equally we-li for $'2,400, making a saving 
under this head of $ 11,600. 

Your Sub-Committee do not, however, predicate their 
opinion and recommendation upon any expectations of this 
character, for they may be censured as extravagant ; their 
object is not to aim in the first instance, at a splendid promise 
of economy, their great aim is to introduce the system; be- 
cause, independent of its economy, there is reason to deem 
it unequivocally the best ; leaving the economy to result as 
an incident, satisfactory indeed. In its nature, but not the 
predominating motive for the change. 

It is very obvious that one great cause of the multiplica- 
tion of instructresses in our primary "schools beyond all ne- 
cessity, is the fact, that the mistresses are compelled to find 
school-rooms for themselves, and that these are necessarily of 
the size of common rooms, and accommodated only to the 
numbers such rooms can hol-d. So long as this is the case, 
it is impossible to reduce this multitude of schools to any 
general system, and nvich less is it possible to introduce the 
monitorial. * 

Your Sub-Committee therefore apprehend that the essential 

interests of the city, require that the school-rooms for the 

'Primary schools should be furnished by the city, and a grad- 

. ual provision should be made for that object, as the system 

proposed to be introduced progresses. These rooms it is not 

necessary for the city to own, except where it may be par- 



ticularly convenient ; ^ey may be hired, it is believed, suita- 
ble for any number of scholarvs, it may be thought advisable 
to instruct in one room. The estimate of your Sub-Com- 
mittee, then, upon this subject is after this manner : 

The wlwle number of children now in the Primary schools 
is3,H9. To these, when the number proposed to be ab- 
stracted from the fourth class of the Grammar schools is ad- 
ded (700) there will be a gross number of 3849 children to be 
taught in the Primary schools. As additional schools of this 
class are in contemplation, the number to be provided for on 
this principle cannot be less than 4000. At the present pro- 
portion of instructresses to pupils in these schools, that 
number would require seventy-one instructresses at 250 each, 
and an annual expense of ^17,750. 

But upon the supposition of requiring an instructer, or in- 
structress, in this city to teach only half as many as one instruc- 
tress in New- York, then these 400 t^children may be in- 
structed in twenty schools instead of seventy ; each school 
being composed of two hundred. 

The economy, however, winch your Sub-Commitjee would 
expect and attempt, would be less than what the above- 
mentioned proportion of schools indicates. The reason is, 
that your Sub-Committee" are of opinion that essential ad- 
vantages are gained by the separationof the boys from girls, 
even at this early age, inid by committing the former exclusive- 
ly to males for education, ^hd the latter to females. Without 
recapitulating their reasons for this opinion ; some ^of which 
are very obvious, they will only state the nature of the arrange- 
ment which they at present deem advisable first to attempt ; 
gradually as the system prop.osed is introduced. 

Twenty schools they deem amply sufficient for the above 
number of scholars, when taught upon the monitorial princi- 
ple ; that is two hundred to each instructer. Of these 
schools ten should be kept by males for the boys, and ten by 
females for the girls. ) 



32 

Ten male instructers at $ 600 each, the rate 
at which our present ushers are paid, and to 
these schools some of them would prohably de- 
sire to be transferred, amount to $ 6,000 

Ten female instructresses at a rate one third 
higher than that, which, in fact, they at present 
receive, viz. $ 300, is 3000 

The average rent of rooms stated to be now 
$ 50, as those required on this principle would be 
large, is stated at a sum at which on an average 
they may be, it is thought, obtained, viz. twenty 
rooms at $100 2000 



$11,000 



Making a difference between the cost of educa- 
ting the same number of children on the proposed 
plan, from what it would cost on the present plan of 
Primary schools, of 6760 

/ .——^ 

$17,750 

And in fact educating four thousand children at an expense 
twenty-five hundred dollars less than three thousand are at 
present educated. 

Should the requisite sanction of the city be given for the al- 
teration proposed, the School Committee will have it in its pow- 
er, at once to establish three or four Primary schools, by sim- 
ply running a partition through the lower rooms of the Boylston 
and Bowdoin schools, at an expense less than one hundred 
dollars for both partitions and all local arrangenvents. 

As the practicability of well instructing two hundred schql- 
ars by one master, has been already proved in this city by 
Mr. Fox, in the Boylston school, and it is also sufficiently 
evidenced by the success of the High School for girls, con- 
ducted on the monitorial principle, although with some- 
what less nu«t)ers, its power in respect to the numbers 
it can well educate may be considered as a result, 
which may be expected to be urfiversally effected in ev«^ry 
school, as soon as this system shall be permanently introduced. 
Supposing, then, that all other calculations are erroneous and 
contrary to experience elsewhere, and that ihn edu'-ating well 
two hundred, is theextremepower of the system, yet even this is 
suiBcientin point of economy to justify the alterations proposed. 



33 

The comparison between educating four thousand chi!- 
dred in the Primary and three thousand in the Grammar and 
Writing schools, upon the present and proposed system, is as 
follows. 

Saving in the Primary schools as above stated, $ 6750 
Saving in salaries of fourteen ushers at six hun- 
dred dollars, ^ 8400 

Annually saving ^15,150 

Your Sub-Committee, however, repeat that their recom- 
mendation does not turn upon the economy of the new sys- 
tem ; but because they are satisfied it is the best, in hself 
considered, without reference to economy. 

The only use they would make of the above facts is to sat- 
isfy every mind that the change can be effected without the 
possibility of increasing expenses. The argument is suffi- 
cient and irresistable, if it be proved as it is believed to be, that 
a better system of education can be introduced with the cer- 
tainty that our present proportion of expenses to the num- 
bers educated cannot by any possibility thereby be aug- 
mented. 

In order that there may be a distinct understanding of the 
views of the Sub-Committee, they state, that the modifica- 
tions, they propose, embrace three essential features. 

] . The introduction of the Monitorial system into all our 
public Grammar and Writing schools, as soon as it is prac- 
ticable. 

To this object, a change in the arrangement of the desks 
and benches in our present school-rooms is esssential ; to 
effect which adequate appropriations are necessary. Wheth- 
er the City Council will second the views of the School Com- 
mittee by making these appropriations must necessarily be 
first known. All the modifications depend upon that fact. 
To ascertain which, is the object of the second and third 
Votes the Sub-Committee hereafter propose. 

It is found that by fitting up our school-rooms on the mon- 
itorial plan, they will generally, and it is believed all, well ac- 
commodate two hundred scholars. This is about the aver- 
age two masters, at present, teach. The city will then be 
able to avail itself of the ability of those masters, who are 
willing to undertake the education of that number ; and still 
5 



S4 

may accommodate those' masters, who reluct at undertaking so 
great a number without an usher j and yet incur no more ex- 
pense than at present. 

2. The elevating and enlarging the standard of public ed- 
ucation, in ail our Grammar and Writing Schools, so as to 
embrace the branches, taught, recently, in our High School 
for girls. 

To this object two things are plainly essential. 1. Tlie 
introduction, as is proposed, of the monitorial system into 
the Grammar and Writing schools, because the High School 
for girls was instituted, con'ducted, and its studies arranged 
with reference to that system. 2. Removing the present 
fourth class from our Grammar and Writing Schools j for 
unless this be done, jt is impossible to introduce the elevated 
and enlarged course of studies proposed. 3. Introducing the 
monitorial system also into our Primary Schools, and thus 
effecting the requisite modification of those schools. 

This is necessary because the fourth class of the Grammar 
and Writing Schools cannot be throvi^n back upon the Primary 
Schools, without increasing the number of those schools j 
which is already excessive in proportion to the number of 
children they educate. As has been stated, in such cases, 
upon the present system, the number of these schools must 
be increased to upwards of seventy. Although it is sugges- 
ted in this report that the number may be reduced to twen- 
ty, on the principles proposed, yet this is obviously a matter of 
detail, depending upon the opinions formed by the School 
Committee, in- concert mth the Committee on Primary 
Schools, after considering the local accommodations, which 
can be obtained and the convenience of children in the sev- 
eral districts. 

The separation of males from females, in our primary 
schools, although deemed an important improvement yet is 
not considered an essential feature in the modification pro- 
posed. It may be varied at the discretion of the respective 
Committees of the schools, according to circumstances. 

The advantages, then, which the Sub-Committee contem- 
plate by the modifications they suggest, are the following. 

1. The grammar and writing Masters will be relieved from 
a class of children, which distract their attention from the 



35 

higher branches of education, which it is the intention to mul- 
tiply and extend in those schools. 

2. The grammar and writing schools will be elevated both 
in character and standard. 

3. The number of our public schools will be reduced, the 
modes of education in them simplified,' and a greater- uniformi- 
ty of system and productive power will be the necessary con- 
sequence. 

4. By having male instructers for male children exclusive- 
ly, it will be easy without deranging the general system of 
our schools to introduce, and instruct, those boys,, who have 
passed the present legal age of admission into the primary 
schools, without being qualified to enter the grammar and 
writing schools. 

5. Besides the last mentioned advantages, which would^ re- 
sult to females, under like circumstances, of age and want of 
qualification, another would be the consequence of having 
girls taught exclusively in the primary schools by females, as 
it would enable needlework to be introduced among the 
branches taught ; as is the case in these schools elsewhere. 

6. The opening, which would be made for the present 
ushers, in the male primary schools, will, by taking away one 
of the objections to the introduction of this system, tend 
greatly to facilitate the measure. 

7. But the prominent and most certain effect of the sys- 
tem proposed is by removing the fourth class, to give room 
for teaching those branches recently taught in the High 
School for girls ; whereby greater advantages it is believed 
will be. obtained, and those more general and immediate, and 
more commodiously than that single school could have afford- 
ed. A high and interesting course of education will be thus 
kept constantly before the eyes and within the reach of all 
the scholars of all the schools. To advance in which course 
would be an object of continual ambition, to which the child 
would be daily stimulated by witnessing the success of 
others. Its entrance on that course would not depend 
upon acquisitions at a particular age, and which, if that 
age be passed without attaining, would be wholly for- 
feited, but would" be perceptibly, within the chjld's reach, 
in every period of its school age. Indeed the effect of 
teaching higher branches in these schools must inevitably 



36 

disseminate a knowledge of them in a greater or less degree 
among all the classes, even the lower, and such as would, 
perhaps, never have gained any knowledge, or idea of them, 
if they were tauglit, exclusively, in a separate school. Such 
a system of teaching the higher branches, in these schools, 
would conform strictly to the general policy of the laws of 
the Commonwealth relative to public education. To it, there 
could be no objection, on accounts of its want of such con- 
formity 5 nor on account of its being exclusive and partaking 
of a character of favoritism. The children of the whole 
community would, if their parents pleased, enjoy of necessity 
and not by possibility, all the benefits of all the branches of 
education even the highest. 

That girls may reap the benefits of the system, your Sub- 
Con)mittee propose that they should be permitted to continue 
through the whole year, and that another year should be add- 
ed to those they are now allowed to remain in the schools. 

For the purpose of bringing these alterations before the 
School Committee, and with its sanction ultimately before the 
City Council, your Sub-Committee recommend the adoption 
of the following votes, which are submitted by their order, 

Boston Feb. 8, 1828. 

JOSIAH QUINCY, Chairman. 



At a meeting of the School Committee on the 12th of 
February, 1828, the preceding Report with the votes recom- 
mended by the Sub-Committee- were read, and thereupon it 
was ordered that the Board adjourn to Thursday, the 21st 
inst., and that the Report be printed for the use of the Board, 
and each member be furnished with a copy. 

At a meeting of the School Committee on the 21st inst. 
the several votes recommended by the Sub-Committee, were 
considered, and after having been modified, and amended, 
were passed unanimously, in the form stated in the subjoined 
official certificate. 



37 



At a meeiing of the School Committee, on Thursday, the 
21st of February, 1828, 

The preceding Report having been previously read, and 
having been printed and each member furnished with a copy 
as ordered by the Board, was now considered, and after de- 
bate it was unanimously 

Voted, That, in the opinion of the School Committee, it is 
for the interest of the city that the mutual, or monitorial sys- 
tem of instruction should be introduced into two of the 
public grammar and writing schools. 

Voted, That, for the purposes expressed in the preceding 
vote, the Boylston and Bowdoin School-Houses ought to be 
fitted up in both the .rooms of the grammar and writing de- 
partments, without delay, in the most approved manner, suit- 
able ifor the instructing upon that system ; and that for this 
purpose it be recommended to the City Council to appro- 
priate forthwith the sum of twenty-four hundred dollars, to 
the end Chat both said school-houses may be prepared, and 
also the lower rooms in said school-houses, fitted up, if thought 
advisable, for primary schools, before the first of April next. 
Voted, That the Chairman of this Committee transmit the 
preceding votes to the City Council and request the appro- 
,priation therein specified. 

Voted, That the Mayor, Messrs. Savage, Armstrong, 
Fowle, Barrett, Adams and Farnsworth, be a Commit- 
tee with authority to communicate to the Primary School 
Committee, the views contained in _the preceding Report ; 
and in conjunction with that Committee to devise such 
modifications of the present system of those schools, as shall 
be deemed expedient and practicable, and lay the same be- 
fore the Board for its consideration and sanction. 

Voted, That the same Committee be authorized to 
consider the new branches to be introduced into the 
grammar and writing schools, and the extension of the time 
of females in those schools ; and the mode in which the 
same shall be introduced, and to report as soon as practica- 
ble to this Committee. 

Attest, JAMES BOWDOIN, 

Secretary of School Cemmittee. 



L/BRARY OF 



CONGRESS 



I 

0J21 504 7qS 



